Let’s drop the jargon and help improve health outcomes for our patients, clients and communities.
Drop the Jargon Day is an annual campaign initiated by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) in 2014. The day aims to raise awareness about jargon – the technical language and complex terminology used by professionals in health and community services – which can often be difficult for the public to understand.
The initiative advocates for professionals to use plain language and employ health literacy techniques to improve communication with patients, clients and community. This is especially important for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, as well as individuals of all ages with varying levels of literacy, English proficiency, and comprehension.
Impact of health literacy levels and use of jargon on health outcomes
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, only 41% of adults in Australia have the level of individual health literacy required to meet the demands of everyday life, such as understanding and following health messages in the way in which they are usually presented.
Individual health literacy can be influenced by several factors. Younger people (15–19) and those over 45 tend to have lower health literacy. Higher education often leads to better health literacy, while disabilities, cultural differences, language barriers, and socioeconomic disadvantages, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, can negatively impact understanding of health information.
How can you help as a professional?
Professionals in the health and community service sectors play a crucial role in improving health outcomes by empowering patients and community members. This can be achieved by ensuring use of plain language and avoiding jargon where possible.
In cases where jargon or technical terms need to be used, it’s best to explain and/or demonstrate them in simple terms, using examples or visuals to ensure clear understanding. This approach is one way you can help community members develop the skills needed to find, understand, interpret, and communicate information that aligns with their health needs.
Health professionals and community services can also improve health literacy for individuals in several ways such as developing clear policies, simplifying care pathways, and training professionals in health literacy and effective communication.
